Minor in Museum Studies

19 credit hours required.

Contact Person: Morgan Perkins, Department of Anthropology
130 MacVicar, (315) 267-2593, perkinmb@potsdam.edu

The Museum Studies Minor consists of a specific sequence of courses that   introduces students to the complex world of museums while qualifying   them for work in a rapidly growing profession. The program examines   the museum—broadly defined to include art, anthropological and history   museums, among others—as a specific cultural institution subject   to analysis and critique. As a forum for the collection, preservation and   display of material culture, these institutions will be examined in historical and cross-cultural perspectives. The explorations of museums will consider such issues as politics, public memory, authenticity, conservation, and national/cultural identity; as well as the broad functions and methods of museums through research projects, preparation of exhibitions and visits to regional museums. The Charles T. Weaver Museum of Anthropology (130 A MacVicar Hall) and the Roland Gibson Art Gallery (103 Brainerd Hall) will provide opportunities to observe and participate in the various functions of the museum. A series of more advanced classes are offered for practical experiences in the museum profession, culminating with a professional internship.

The capstone experience of the Minor is the completion of an internship   program at one or more museums. Opportunities to work in museums   locally or nearby in Ottawa or Montreal may be complemented with summer internships at more distant museums both nationally and   abroad. The combination of coursework, on-campus practica and   professional internships should qualify students for work in museums as well as a wide range of career-related professions.

No more than two courses from the student’s major may double count   for the Minor. Several courses may be taken for either Anthropology or Art credit.

Theory
  As the first stage in the Minor, students are presented with an introduction to the theory, function and organization of museums.

All courses are 3 credits unless noted. Credits are divided as follows:

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
  Credits
Required Courses

6
ANTH/ARTM 270 Museum Studies     
ANTH/ARTH 358Cross-Cultural Approaches to Art*

*For students majoring in departments other than anthropology or art         an alternate course may be taken in place of ANTH/ARTM 358 after         consultation with the Program Director. The prerequisite for ANTH/ARTM 358 is ANTC 202 or ARTH 100, 101 or 102.

Practica
Two required courses provide students with the practical and conceptual          skills involved in the operation of museums and galleries, through          participation in archival and collections management, research and          exhibition design and installation. These courses should be taken in          the order listed. The prerequisite for both of these courses is ANTH/ARTM 270.         

In Gallery Practices, students learn the skills involved in running a          professional art gallery by assisting in the operations and installations of          art exhibitions at the Roland Gibson Gallery. In Archives and Exhibits, students act as Assistant Curators and have the opportunity to create          and install an exhibition of their own design in the Charles T. Weaver          Museum of Anthropology. Through archival and field research, collection,          exhibition planning and installation, students should gain direct         experience in the various social and philosophical functions of a museum. All courses are 3 credits unless noted. Credits are divided as follows: 

          Required Courses		 
          6
ARTM 420Gallery Practices
ANTH 320Museum Archives and Exhibits (4 credits) 

          Prior to pursuing the Practica it is strongly recommended that students take the following studio art course to provide an introduction to design.

        Recommended Course		 
        4
ARTS 120Color & Design (4 credits) 

        Advanced Studies
A minimum of six internship credits are required. The culminating   experience for the Minor is the completion of two museum internships   under the direction of the Museum Studies Coordinator. Ideally, the first should be on campus in either the Weaver Museum of Anthropology   or the Gibson Gallery. This first experience should give students   an opportunity to work closely with Museum or Gallery staff in the design of an exhibition or the completion of an archival or curatorial   research project. The second internship will be arranged with an external   museum or gallery so students can develop and complete a range of potential projects with the supervision of a sponsor from the host   institution. Longer internships may also be pursued under the direction   of the Museum Studies Coordinator for additional credit hours. The prerequisites for both internships are ANTH 320 and ARTM 320.

        Required Courses 		 
        6
ANTH/ARTM 470Museum Internship/Tutorial (6 credits)